Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 43: Field Manor (Part 1)

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Field Manor (Part 1)

The next day, Jiang Shaohua once again left the city.

Nanyang County has a total of four city gates: east, west, south, and north. The official road from the East City Gate leads to the Capital City, while the South City Gate is where merchants enter the city, so these two gates are usually the busiest. A few dozen miles outside the North City Gate is the Personal Guard Camp.

Today, they left from the West City Gate, beyond which the fertile fields stretch endlessly. The people of Nanyang County usually exit the city from here to farm the land.

She wore a red martial outfit, her long hair braided into a long plait hanging down her back, galloping on her horse in the gentle spring breeze, looking valiant and lively.

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai, both skilled riders, each rode their horses alongside her. Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, and a group of trusted aides surrounded and escorted them.

Today, Song Yuan rarely did not ride a horse. Cui Du didn’t know how to ride, so he sat in the carriage and someone had to accompany him. As his "uncle," Song Yuan took on the responsibility.

Yesterday, Cui Du spent the entire day drawing and finished twenty blueprints. The craftsmen in the workshop were busy making the new-style plows, while Shen Mu was occupied with recruiting and settling the carpenters and blacksmiths, working tirelessly.

Being young, after a night’s sleep, his hand was no longer sore, his eyes weren’t blurry, and all fatigue was gone.

From the moment Cui Du exited the city gate, his eyes were fixed on the vast fields outside the window, sparkling with light.

Song Yuan also glanced outside.

Spring farming had begun, and all one could see were people tilling the fields and weeding. It was the same every spring, so what was there to see?

Moreover, what exactly did the Commandery Princess intend by bringing Cui Du out of the city?

Cui Du turned his head and met the inquisitive gaze of his uncle Song Yuan. He gestured the act of farming with his hands and then pointed to himself.

Song Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Besides drawing blueprints, you’re also skilled in farming?"

Cui Du grinned and stood straight.

Song Yuan understood, "So the Commandery Princess is taking you to the field manor?"

Cui Du nodded vigorously.

Song Yuan pondered and said, "You want to farm, and the Commandery Princess agreed. From now on, just manage this field manor well, work diligently, and don’t let the Commandery Princess down."

Needless to say, right?

Cui Du nodded firmly again.

As they spoke, the carriage stopped. Cui Du got off with Song Yuan to see a large area of farmhouses before him, with a few elderly ladies sunning themselves and weaving grass ropes and bamboo baskets, and a dozen or so dirty children running and playing.

As soon as Jiang Shaohua and her party appeared, the elderly ladies hurriedly put down their work, pulled the children, and knelt, "Greetings to the Commandery Princess."

This was the field manor of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, and such a beautiful and noble young lady at this age could only be the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Please rise."

Yin Zhu stepped forward to help up the elderly ladies, while Tu Bai handed out malt sugar to the children. The farm children learned to work in the fields early. The eldest among them looked no more than five or six years old. They accepted the malt sugar with dirty hands and happily licked it.

Cui Du watched silently, his heart stirring quietly.

The Commandery Princess was both imposing and exceptionally kind, compassionate towards the weak.

Jiang Shaohua inquired about the spring farming situation, and one slightly more articulate elderly woman answered everything, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the weather has been favorable for the past two days, just right for farming. Everyone capable of working in the fields has gone to the fields. In another two years, these children will also be of use."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "They’re still so young, how can they be expected to work in the fields? You all, too, should not work yourselves to exhaustion daily and endanger your health."

The elderly women gratefully tried to kneel again.

Jiang Shaohua gestured to stop them and turned to Cui Du, smiling, "The villagers are all busy farming; I’ll take you to the field manor to have a look."

Cui Du nodded and habitually moved forward. Song Yuan discreetly pulled him back, and he understood to follow honestly behind the Commandery Princess.

Beyond the farmhouse, vast farmland came into view.

In the fields, there were men and women working, as well as children not yet fully grown and elders in their fifties or sixties. The bustling scenes of farming were quite striking.

As soon as Jiang Shaohua appeared, the people wanted to stop their work to kneel.

"Everyone continue working, no need to kneel or greet," Jiang Shaohua said calmly, her voice carrying far.

They continued farming, except for one man who stepped forward. This man appeared to be in his forties, with dark skin and calloused hands, clearly someone who had tilled the fields for years.

"This is Lin Zhuangtou," Jiang Shaohua said to Cui Du, "he is the steward of this field manor. In the future, if you have any tasks, just instruct him."

Cui Du solemnly cupped his hands in acknowledgment.

Then, Jiang Shaohua turned to Lin Zhuangtou and said, "This is Cui Du, the nephew of Commander Song. He has been passionately studying agricultural books since childhood and loves farming. From now on, you will follow Mr. Cui’s instructions."

Why would a wealthy young master come to the fields instead of enjoying studies and leisure?

Lin Zhuangtou was surprised at Cui Du’s youth but dared not delay his response, quickly agreeing.

Noticing Lin Zhuangtou’s skepticism, Jiang Shaohua directed Qin Hu and others to bring out the new-style plows, "These new-style plows were hurriedly made in the workshop yesterday based on Mr. Cui’s blueprints. Distribute them now so everyone can try."

An hour later, Lin Zhuangtou returned with an excited expression. He was much more respectful towards Cui Du, "Mr. Cui is truly talented; these new-style plows are lightweight and labor-saving, even women can handle them easily."

Indeed, having real talent to rely on is essential.

Cui Du smiled and gestured.

Lin Zhuangtou looked puzzled.

Jiang Shaohua gently explained, "Mr. Cui is temporarily unable to speak."

Lin Zhuangtou restrained his urge to scratch his head, somewhat embarrassed, "I am illiterate."

Jiang Shaohua maintained her composure, smiling, "No problem, Mr. Cui also cannot write."

Lin Zhuangtou: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Cui Du quickly took out a stack of cut paper, sketched a few strokes with a charcoal pencil, and slipped it into Lin Zhuangtou’s hand.

The sketch depicted a piece of land with a question mark at its edge. Lin Zhuangtou looked down and his previously bewildered expression relaxed greatly, "Does Mr. Cui want to know the size of the field manor?"

Cui Du nodded.

Communication is key.

Lin Zhuangtou, relieved, replied with a smile, "The total area is a hundred qing."

One qing is a hundred mu, thus a hundred qing equals ten thousand mu.

Ten thousand mu of land, all his to manage in the future.

Cui Du’s handsome face instantly flushed as he nodded enthusiastically at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua was amused, "You’ve chosen this field manor yourself, so don’t complain about the hard work in the future."

Cui Du beamed, his smile as bright as the sun.

Song Yuan, however, felt a bit uneasy, whispering, "Commandery Princess, perhaps he should start managing a smaller field manor first." Sketching was his forte, but with such delicate and fair looks, could he really handle farming?

Jiang Shaohua replied, "I trust him."

When you trust someone, you should not doubt them. This is the demeanor and style of a true leader.

At that moment, six words flashed in Cui Du’s mind.

A hero dies for a confidant... No, that saying carries bad luck. He wants to live a long life and serve the Commandery Princess devotedly.